SENATE BILL 148

51st legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2013

INTRODUCED BY

Cisco McSorley

AN ACT

RELATING TO HEALTH INSURANCE; REQUIRING THE OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT OF INSURANCE TO OBTAIN AN ACTUARIAL ANALYSIS OF POTENTIAL COSTS AND BENEFITS ASSOCIATED WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION AND OPERATION OF A BASIC HEALTH PROGRAM PURSUANT TO THE FEDERAL PATIENT PROTECTION AND AFFORDABLE CARE ACT; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     SECTION 1. TEMPORARY PROVISION--BASIC HEALTH PROGRAM ACTUARIAL ANALYSIS.--

          A. In order to determine whether implementation and operation of a basic health program, as provided in Section 1331(a)(1) of the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, is the most effective way to serve the health insurance-related needs of certain low-income residents who are not eligible for medicaid, the office of superintendent of insurance shall perform an actuarial analysis of the potential costs and benefits associated with the implementation and operation of a basic health program. The analysis shall:

                (1) consider any federal financing that is available to the state in connection with a basic health program;

                (2) use any qualified health plan enrollment data that is available through operation of a state health insurance exchange beginning in January 2014; and

                (3) include projections of:

                     (a) the costs to the state of implementing and operating a basic health program;

                     (b) the costs to potential enrollees in a basic health program plan; and

                     (c) the scope of benefits for plans operating pursuant to a basic health program.

          B. As used in this section, "medicaid" means the joint federal-state health coverage program pursuant to Title 19 or Title 21 of the federal Social Security Act.

     SECTION 2. APPROPRIATION.--Fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the office of superintendent of insurance for expenditure in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 to be used to perform an actuarial analysis to calculate potential costs and benefits related to implementation and operation of a basic health program in the state. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2015 shall revert to the general fund.

     SECTION 3. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of Section 1 of this act is July 1, 2013.

- 3 -